Apprehending a backlash in his state if the killing of migrant workers in Assam was not immediately contained, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday sought an intervention by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to instill security and confidence among the people.

"I am afraid that the situation, if not contained immediately in Assam, may lead to a backlash in many parts of Bihar," Nitish Kumar said in a letter faxed to the prime minister.

Nitish drew Dr Singh's attention to the 'extremely grim' situation in Assam, and said according to information collected by a high-level ministerial team sent there by him, around 61 migrant labourers from Bihar had lost their lives.

Nitish said of the 61, 15 were 'seasonal labourers' who had gone to Assam recently for working in brick kilns and 34 were permanent settlers of the state.

The United Liberation Front of Asom, since Friday last, has killed at least 70 Hindi-speaking workers in Upper Assam.

Nitish said the strikes, spread over many districts and targeted at a particular section of the population, had created a sense of fear and panic among the people.

"Despite a claim by the Assam government that it has taken steps for controlling the situation, a sense of insecurity in certain sections in the state has not yet faded away," he said.

Informing the prime minister about the steps taken by his government, Nitish said there was apprehension and concern among the people in Bihar who have held several protest marches and public meetings.